South Korean President faces treason probe over brief martial law declaration
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South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is under investigation for alleged treason following his controversial declaration of martial law earlier this week.
The National Police Agency has launched a probe into Yoon and several top officials, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, Army Chief of Staff General Park An-su, and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, for their roles in the incident, reported Al Jazeera.
Martial law was declared late Tuesday night by Yoon, citing threats from "antistate forces" and political opposition. The move, which lasted about six hours, triggered widespread protests and parliamentary opposition, leading to its swift reversal. The declaration saw armed troops storm the National Assembly using helicopters, breaking windows, and forcibly entering the building, escalating tensions nationwide.
Opposition lawmakers and activists have filed formal complaints accusing Yoon and others of treason. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has called for an impeachment vote scheduled for Saturday, arguing that Yoon’s actions caused “great confusion and fear” among citizens.
Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who reportedly advised Yoon to impose martial law, resigned on Thursday and is under investigation for sedition. Prosecutors have imposed a travel ban on Kim and other unidentified officials involved in the crisis.
Yoon has appointed Choi Byung-hyuk, South Korea’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia and a former four-star army general, as Kim’s replacement.
The opposition Democratic Party plans to push for Yoon's impeachment in parliament, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass the motion. With 300 seats in parliament, they need support from at least eight members of Yoon’s People Power Party for the bill to succeed.
If impeached, the Constitutional Court will have 180 days to decide whether to uphold the motion. During this period, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would assume interim leadership. If Yoon resigns or is removed from office, a presidential election must be held within 60 days.
Yoon has positioned himself as a key ally in the US-led coalition against authoritarian regimes like China and Russia. However, domestically, his administration faces criticism for labeling dissenters as "communist totalitarian and antistate forces," alongside ongoing allegations of influence-peddling involving Yoon and his wife.